Minnesota CDL Practice Test

Correct answer: 18 years old

You must be at least 18 and hold a valid Minnesota driver’s license to get a CLP. At 18–20 your CDL is intrastate only (driving within Minnesota); interstate operation, and hauling placarded hazardous materials, generally require age 21.

Correct answer: 14 calendar days

The CLP must be held for 14 calendar days before you can take the CDL road tests — the federal minimum learning period built into Minnesota’s process.

Correct answer: 180 days — renewable, but never valid more than one year from initial issuance

A Minnesota CLP is valid for 180 days and may be renewed, provided it is not valid for more than one year from the date it was first issued.

Correct answer: Once per day

Minnesota lets you attempt each knowledge test once per day. Retaking uses a different version of the test, so studying the full pool beats memorizing questions.

Correct answer: English — on paper or on a computer, with headphones available to hear the questions read aloud

Minnesota offers the CDL knowledge test in English, on paper or computer, with headphones available so you can hear the questions as you read them. Interpreters are not used for the CDL knowledge test.

Correct answer: A licensed driver holding the same class of license and endorsements you are testing for, or higher

A CLP only authorizes practice when you are accompanied by a driver who already holds the same class of license and applicable endorsements (or higher). You may not carry passengers, haul hazardous materials, or pull double/triple trailers while practicing.

Correct answer: Costs a $10 retesting fee

Minnesota charges a $10 retesting fee for the third and subsequent knowledge test after you fail the first two. (The road/skills test carries a $20 fee on the third and later attempts.)

Correct answer: Intrastate only — valid for commercial driving within Minnesota

Minnesota issues under-21 CDLs as intrastate only (the "K" restriction) — you may drive commercially within Minnesota. Interstate operation requires age 21, and hazardous-materials transport generally requires 21 as well.

Correct answer: Restricted to vehicles without air brakes

Unless the CMV used for your road test has air brakes, you are restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes (the "L" restriction) — even if you passed the air brake knowledge test. Your license is limited to the type of vehicle you actually test in.

Correct answer: 30 days

You have up to 30 days after becoming a Minnesota resident to transfer your previous home-state CDL to a Minnesota CDL.

Correct answer: It protects you from your cargo in case of a crash or emergency stop by blocking cargo from moving forward

Front-end header boards ("headache racks") protect you from your cargo in a crash or emergency stop. Make sure the front-end structure is in good condition and can block the forward movement of any cargo you carry.

Correct answer: To protect people from spilled cargo, and to protect the cargo from weather

There are two basic reasons for covering cargo: to protect people from spilled cargo and to protect the cargo from weather. Spill protection is a safety requirement in many states.

Correct answer: To keep cargo from sliding or moving during transport

Blocking is used in front of, behind, and/or beside cargo to keep it from sliding, and is shaped to fit snugly against the cargo. Bracing goes from the upper part of the cargo to the floor and/or walls to prevent movement.

Correct answer: A flapping cover can tear loose, uncovering the cargo and possibly blocking your view or someone else’s

Look at your cargo covers in the mirrors from time to time while driving. A flapping cover can tear loose, uncover the cargo, and possibly block your view or another driver’s view.

Correct answer: They have a high center of gravity and the load can shift, so you must be slow and careful on curves and turns

Dry bulk tanks require special care because they have a high center of gravity and the load can shift. Be extremely cautious — slow and careful — going around curves and making sharp turns.

Correct answer: A very unstable load with a high center of gravity — take particular caution on sharp curves such as ramps, and go slowly

Hanging meat can be a very unstable load with a high center of gravity. Particular caution is needed on sharp curves such as off-ramps and on-ramps — go slowly.

Correct answer: Use false bulkheads to keep the livestock bunched together

Livestock can move around in a trailer, causing unsafe handling. With less than a full load, use false bulkheads to keep the livestock bunched together.

Correct answer: They can lean on curves, shifting the center of gravity and making a rollover more likely

Even when bunched, special care is necessary because livestock can lean on curves. This shifts the center of gravity and makes a rollover more likely.

Correct answer: Special transit permits, and often special equipment such as "wide load" signs, flags, or flashing lights and sometimes escort vehicles

Over-length, over-width, and/or overweight loads require special transit permits. Driving is usually limited to certain times, and special equipment such as "wide load" signs, flashing lights, or flags — and sometimes a police escort or pilot vehicles — may be required.

Correct answer: Drivers cannot see hazards as quickly, so they have less time to respond

You are at greater risk at night because drivers cannot see hazards as quickly as in daylight and have less time to respond. Drivers caught by surprise are less able to avoid a crash.